Amphibian and Reptile Biology

Effects of land use change and elevation on endemic shrub frogs in a biodiversity hotspot

This study examines how elevation and land use affect two endemic shrub frogs in the Western Ghats, finding elevation-specific distributions and negative impacts of agroforestry on population densities and body condition.

More the Merrier? Influence of Mango Orchards on the Composition of the Reptile Communities of the Lateritic Plateaus, Maharashtra, India.

This study examines how converting lateritic plateaus to mango orchards in Maharashtra affects reptile community composition, finding greater species diversity and generalist species dominance in orchards.

Novel mark recapture surveys reveal stable pigmentation patterns but age-related melanism in the common frog Rana temporaria

The paper analyzes pigmentation changes in common frogs over 7 years using mark recapture data, finding stable spot numbers and increasing pigmented area with age, but no significant sex differences in pigmentation.

Cold-induced skin darkening does not protect amphibian larvae from UV-associated DNA damage

The paper shows that cold-induced skin darkening in amphibian larvae does not reduce UV-induced DNA damage, suggesting DNA repair mechanisms, not melanin, are responsible for protection.

Infection with the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) may distort sex ratio via sex reversal but not sex-dependent mortality in a common Eurasian amphibian

This study investigates whether chytrid fungus infection causes sex ratio distortion in common toads through sex reversal rather than sex-dependent mortality.

Host immune responses to enzootic and invasive pathogen lineages vary in magnitude, timing, and efficacy

This study compares immune responses in toadlets infected with two Bd lineages, showing lineage-specific differences in response magnitude, timing, and resolution.

Computer vision for assessing species color pattern variation from web-based community science images

The paper develops a computer vision model to automatically categorize color patterns in community science images, finding striped morphs of salamanders have wider niche breadth.

Host Species is Linked to Pathogen Genotype for the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis)

The paper investigates the correlation between Bd-GPL genotype and host species identity in amphibians, revealing a previously unknown association and identifying the eastern US as a Bd diversity hotspot.

Lens Transmittance Shapes UV Sensitivity In The Eyes Of Frogs From Diverse Ecological And Phylogenetic Backgrounds

The paper examines lens transmittance in frogs to assess its relationship with diel activity patterns, finding no significant correlation but suggesting phylogenetic influences.

How do red-eyed treefrog embryos sense motion in predator attacks? Assessing the role of vestibular mechanoreception

This study investigates how red-eyed treefrog embryos detect motion during predator attacks and finds that vestibular mechanoreception is crucial for escape-hatching behavior.

Genetic potential for disease resistance in a critically endangered frog decimated by chytridiomycosis.

The paper investigates genetic factors associated with Bd resistance in southern corroboree frogs and identifies potential for restoring genetic diversity and disease resistance.